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His smile is radiant.
I’ve forgotten words.
I’m meeting Archie Jefferson!
TheArchie Jefferson!
“I think we broke him,” Sid says, laughing.
I try to pull it together.
“How? Fuuck! How?” I direct that blubber to Sid.
“I met Archie my second year in the league.”
And you kept it a secret!I want to blurt out.
“That’s right. It was at a gala or something, innit?” Archie recalls.
His skin glows like there’s a lantern bobbing inside of him. He has a boyish grin and a mix of bad-boy swag and charm. He’s smaller than I thought, but what’s there is fit.
I force myself to pull it together. “Ahem. Okay.” I think my brain is partly back online. “It’s, uh, nice to meet you.”Nice? That’s the understatement of the year!He opens his arms for a hug while I awkwardly hold out my hand, extending a handshake. I drop my hand and accept the hug.
“Looks like a vampire went at your neck.” He points to my hickey.
“Yeah, er, I—”
“He had a wild birthday. You know how we do,” Sid says, saving me from an awkward loss of words.
“Ivy’s?” Archie asks.
I nod, afraid I’ll give away that I was lying if I speak.
“I’ll never forget Sadie as long as I live,” Archie reminisces. “Ready to go?”
“What?” I turn to Sid.
“Oh, yes, that. Your birthday gift—Archie’s agreed to take you on the track for a spin.”
My jaw drops. “Deadass?”
“You should see your face!” Archie says, grinning. “I promise to make our time unforgettable! Let’s roll.” He turns toward the door.
I turn to Sid and mouth,Seriously!
He laughs and mouths,Happy Birthday!
I mouth,I love you!
He grins and blows me a kiss.
I kneel when we reach the tracks and touch the rubber skid marks.
Surreal.
A car pulls up next to us. “This is our ride,” Archie says, handing me a helmet and pulling on his own.
I whistle at the half-million-dollar car! “McLaren 720S Spider Luxury.”
